Call for witnesses: Minda Juvenile Justice Centre
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers is seeking to hear from people who were held at Minda Juvenile Justice Centre in Lidcombe, NSW, between April 1996 and June 1996.
We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was rostered to work in the kitchen at Minda during that period. However, if you were at the Centre at any time between April and June 1996 and think you may have relevant information, we encourage you to come forward.
What we are looking for
This call for witnesses has two purposes.
First, we are seeking background information about the kitchen facilities and how the kitchen operated at Minda during this period. That includes how the kitchen was set up, how young people were rostered to work there, and how kitchen work was supervised.
Second, we want to hear from anyone who experienced abuse, saw it happen, or knows about incidents involving abuse, in the kitchen or anywhere else in the Centre, between April and June 1996.
You do not need to have experienced abuse yourself to help. Details that might seem ordinary, such as daily routines, who worked where, or how the kitchen roster worked, can be important. Former staff and anyone else who was present at the Centre during this time are also welcome to contact us.
About Minda Juvenile Justice Centre
Minda opened in May 1966 on Rookwood Road (now Joseph Street), Lidcombe, as a shelter and remand centre for children appearing before the Children’s Court. In 1991, it became a juvenile justice centre under the control of the newly created Department of Juvenile Justice.
During the 1990s, Minda held around 60 boys at a time, most of them on remand. The Centre closed in 2003 and was demolished, and the site was later used for the Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre.
Because many young people were held at Minda on remand, some stayed only a short time. Even if you were there for a few days or weeks during April to June 1996, what you remember may still help.
Koffels acts for survivors of abuse in youth detention centres across NSW. We are also seeking witnesses from Minalli Receiving and Assessment Centre (1990 to 1992) and Yasmar Boys Home (1990 to 1992), and have written about abuse at Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre and Reiby Training School.
Speaking with us is confidential
We understand that thinking back to time spent in detention can be difficult, and that many people have never spoken about what happened to them. We treat every enquiry confidentially, and speaking with us does not commit you to anything.
The reason you were held at Minda does not matter. Every young person in a detention centre has the right to be safe.
Before any information you give us is used, we will talk with you about how it would be used and what that means for you.
You can call us on 02 9283 5599 or send us a confidential message using the form below.
If you experienced abuse at Minda
If you were abused at Minda, at any time it operated, you may be entitled to compensation.
For most survivors, a civil compensation claim is the strongest pathway. Compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered, including the effect on your health, work, relationships, and quality of life, and it is not capped. Virtually all claims settle before reaching a hearing, and settlements are usually confidential.
NSW has removed time limits for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse, so in most cases it is not too late to bring a claim, even decades later. Individual circumstances still matter. You can read more about limitation periods for historical institutional abuse claims.
The National Redress Scheme is another option, but it has significant limitations. The maximum payment is $150,000, which is rarely achieved, and many payments are significantly lower. Accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim. Applications close on 30 June 2027, and we strongly recommend getting independent legal advice before applying. Read more in 5 things you should know about the National Redress Scheme and our review of the Scheme.
Find out more about our institutional sexual abuse legal services.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have been abused at Minda to come forward?
No. We want to hear from anyone who was held at Minda Juvenile Justice Centre between April and June 1996, especially anyone who worked in the kitchen. Background information about how the kitchen and the Centre operated can be just as important as accounts of abuse.
I was only at Minda for a short time. Can I still help?
Yes. Many young people were held at Minda on remand for short periods. If you were there at any point between April and June 1996, what you remember may still be relevant.
Will my contact with Koffels be kept confidential?
Yes. We treat every enquiry confidentially, and speaking with us does not commit you to anything. Before any information you provide is used, we will discuss with you how it would be used.
Is it too late to make a claim for abuse at Minda?
In most cases, no. NSW has removed time limits for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse, so survivors can bring claims decades after the abuse occurred. Individual circumstances still matter, so it is worth getting advice about your situation. Read more about limitation periods for historical abuse claims.
Should I apply to the National Redress Scheme instead of making a civil claim?
For most survivors with a viable civil claim, a civil claim will deliver a better outcome. Scheme payments are capped at $150,000, and accepting one permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim. Applications close on 30 June 2027. We strongly recommend getting independent legal advice before applying. Read what happens when the National Redress Scheme expires.
This page does not make any findings or allegations against Minda Juvenile Justice Centre, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or any individual. It provides general information to help people who were at the Centre understand their options. It is not legal advice. For advice about your circumstances, please contact Koffels Solicitors & Barristers on 02 9283 5599.
